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Quick answer: If your daughter loves Dork Diaries, try Dear Dumb Diary, Tom Gates, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Drama, Roller Girl and New Kid. They have the same doodles, jokes and everyday school drama.
Rachel Renée Russell's Dork Diaries series follows Nikki Maxwell, a new student who writes and draws about friends, crushes and frenemies at a private school. Girls who love it want more diary-style stories and graphic novels about school life. These 15 books suit ages 8 to 12 and are great for reluctant readers.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dear Dumb Diary | Jim Benton | 8-12 | diary lovers |
| The Popularity Papers | Amy Ignatow | 9-13 | friendship stories |
| Amelia's Notebook | Marissa Moss | 7-10 | younger readers |
| Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day | Meg Cabot | 8-12 | readers who like lists |
| Tom Gates: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates | Liz Pichon | 7-11 | Wimpy Kid fans |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Jeff Kinney | 8-12 | doodle lovers |
| Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life | James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts | 8-12 | prank fans |
| Drama | Raina Telgemeier | 9-13 | theater kids |
| Smile | Raina Telgemeier | 8-12 | graphic novel fans |
| Sisters | Raina Telgemeier | 8-12 | readers who have siblings |
| Roller Girl | Victoria Jamieson | 9-13 | sports fans |
| New Kid | Jerry Craft | 8-12 | readers who like school stories |
| Real Friends | Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham | 8-12 | friendship stories |
| Awkward | Svetlana Chmakova | 9-13 | manga fans |
| Click | Kayla Miller | 8-12 | kids who feel left out |
1. Dear Dumb Diary by Jim Benton
Jamie Kelly writes a sarcastic diary about school. Short, funny and silly.
Best for: diary lovers.
2. The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow
Two best friends study the popular girls in two different handwritings. Funny and about friendship.
Best for: friendship stories.
3. Amelia's Notebook by Marissa Moss
Amelia writes and draws in her notebook about a move to a new town. Gentle and creative.
Best for: younger readers.
4. Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day by Meg Cabot
Allie moves and writes her rules for survival. Light and funny.
Best for: readers who like lists.
5. Tom Gates: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
Tom writes and doodles about school, friends and bands. A British favorite.
Best for: Wimpy Kid fans.
6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley records his middle school misadventures. The classic funny diary.
Best for: doodle lovers.
7. Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
Rafe Khatchadorian tries to break every rule in his school. Funny and illustrated.
Best for: prank fans.
8. Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Callie works on a school musical and faces crushes and friends. A graphic novel with heart.
Best for: theater kids.
9. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Raina knocks out her front teeth and faces years of dental surgery. A graphic memoir, honest and funny.
Best for: graphic novel fans.
10. Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
Raina takes a road trip with her sister and family. A sequel to Smile.
Best for: readers who have siblings.
11. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Astrid joins a roller derby team after summer camp and has to deal with friends. Funny and about growing up.
Best for: sports fans.
12. New Kid by Jerry Craft
Jordan, a Black seventh grader, starts at a prep school and navigates two worlds. Funny and thoughtful.
Best for: readers who like school stories.
13. Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
Shannon tries to hold on to her best friend in a group of popular girls. Honest and gentle.
Best for: friendship stories.
14. Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
Penny tries to hide after an embarrassing moment and ends up in the Art Club. A sweet manga-style school story.
Best for: manga fans.
15. Click by Kayla Miller
Olive tries to find a group at school. Gentle and encouraging.
Best for: kids who feel left out.
How to Choose
For diary-style books, start with Dear Dumb Diary or The Popularity Papers. For graphic novels, try Smile, Drama or New Kid. For humor with doodles, pick Tom Gates or Wimpy Kid. For friendship worries, read Real Friends or Click. Most are suitable for ages 8 to 12. A good routine is to read a few pages aloud, then let your child try drawing a diary page of their own. Many kids enjoy writing their own diaries after reading these books, which builds writing skills. For visual readers, graphic novels like Smile and Drama are great stepping stones. Many readers also enjoy pairing a diary with a hands-on project, such as keeping a reading log with doodles. For a bookshelf starter, choose two diary books, one graphic memoir and one friendship story, then add to it as your child's tastes grow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Dork Diaries for?
It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
How many Dork Diaries are there?
The series has more than 15 books, plus spin-offs.
Are there graphic novels like Dork Diaries?
Yes. Telgemeier's Smile, Drama and Sisters are popular.
Is it a good series for reluctant readers?
Yes. The pictures, doodles and short entries keep kids reading.
Are there Dork Diaries spin-offs?
Yes, including Tales from a Not-So-… titles that follow Nikki's friends and rivals.
Can boys enjoy these books?
Yes. Funny diary and graphic novel formats appeal to many kids.
How can I tell if a book is too mature?
Check the age range on the cover or publisher page and skim the first chapter, since most of these are rated for ages 8 to 12.